From WFSB TV, original article here.  October 8, 2017, written by Eva Zymaris & Rob Polansky.

WFSB 3 Connecticut

NEWINGTON, CT (WFSB) – As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida, radio amateurs in Connecticut are gearing up to assist with relief efforts as once the powerful storm makes landfall in the United States.

Channel 3 visited the National Office for Amateur Radio in Newington and got a closer look at how people are assisting with communication down south.

When natural disasters strike, the ability to communicate can become much* more difficult.

“Cellular networks can be disrupted, public safety networks can be disrupted,” Mike Corey, who is the emergency preparedness manager at the American Radio Relay League, said. “And of course, the number of volunteer organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army that respond to these, also need communication support.”

Corey explained there are about 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in United States.  These operators can make calls for help and support first responders in dire situations.

“They can also use their technical skills to set things up like charging stations, setting up networks so that there’s connectivity in emergency operation center,” Corey said. “They can also provide ground truth reporting to the national weather service and hurricane center.”

The American Radio Relay League has kits filled with radio equipment.  Some have already been deployed to Florida, and others could be sent down at a moment’s notice.

Corey added a number of radio amateurs have been assisting down in Texas following Hurricane Harvey.  They’re now gearing up for Irma’s worst by getting generators, radios and antennas ready.

“And they’ve already done in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where it’s already made landfall,” Corey said.

Beyond communicating with one another, these operators can also contact the American Radio Relay League where people at headquarters can relay information to partners such as Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Corey said above all, the safety of these radio amateurs is their number one priority.

Copyright 2017 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 09 / 09 / 2017
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) competitions in the USA, and at the IARU Region 3 championship in Mongolia – saw the WIA Team win a swag of medals.  Ewen VK3OW, Jenelle VK3FJTE and Jack VK3WWW were at the Harrison Ohio event in July, which was coupled with the IARU Region 2 ARDF Championships.  Fierce competition saw them win medals.  Then they broke up, most back to Australia for a rest, and another caught up with a stateside relative.

Next was the 11th IARU Region 3 Championships hosted by the Mongolian Radio Sports Federation.  The original three were joined by Peter VK3ADY and Kristian VK3FDAC.  The WIA Team of five scored well in the medal tally.  Congratulations to all.

IARU ARDF events need WIA membership, but the competing expense is borne by the individual.  A full story has been written for a future Amateur Radio magazine by Jack Bramham VK3WWW, the WIA ARDF Coordinator.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 07 / 09 / 2017
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

In a part of the ongoing consultation process the Wireless Institute of Australia wants to measure the views of those in Amateur Radio.

No, you don’t have to be a WIA member, or even give your identity.  The WIA asks a series of simple questions and the answers will be automatically handled by software to come up with the results.

Questions are about how long you have you been in Amateur Radio, what sparked your interest, awareness of WIA services,  Amateur Radio magazine contents, volunteering and social media use.  It’s all about learning of your activity, motivation, and make-up, as the institute sets its path for the future.

Please take a moment to complete the WIA survey found on WIA website www.wia.org.au to and encourage others to also share their opinions.

The WIA Online Survey can be accessed here.